Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 299 The Short, Bean-like Version of Naruto Uzumaki

Tobirama Senju doubted that he had heard correctly.

He's a dead man, and a dead man who's been dead for many years. What's the point of him cultivating?

However, Tobirama Senju still reached out and took the thick stack of papers, and began to read them from the beginning. He was quickly drawn to the contents of the "Sutra of Reincarnation".

The Dao says: If a person's learning of the Dao is shallow or their rank as an immortal is insufficient, and their destiny is to perish, their body will pass through the Taiyin realm. At the time of their passing, their corpse will be properly guided, and their soul will return to the Southern Palace. They will then learn the Dao and be reborn within a certain number of days. They will be reborn in the cycle of reincarnation and will become an immortal.

The Dao says: When the cycle of heaven and earth ends, the stars and constellations are out of order, the sun and moon lose their brightness, the four seasons are out of order, and yin and yang are out of balance, then one should also observe a fast. Fasting and reciting scriptures bring great merit, dispelling heavenly disasters above and warding off poisons below, ensuring life and death are assured, and the blessings are immeasurable, hence it is said to be boundless, universally saving heaven and man.

The text itself is very simple, but the commentaries and descriptions are so numerous they make your hair stand on end.

Not only are there descriptions for every single character, but also detailed descriptions, analyses, and pronunciation annotations for word and phrase combinations of different lengths.

Then, the different combinations and pronunciation methods were explained, their functions were described, and details such as which part of the body to visualize during pronunciation, how to mobilize chakra to create resonance, etc., were described in detail.

Then it explained what level one could reach by cultivating in this way before starting the next stage of cultivation.

Finally, a list of taboos that are absolutely forbidden is presented, along with the potential harm caused by each taboo.

The "Scripture of Reincarnation" appears to be more than just a cultivation technique; it is also a complete philosophical and metaphysical system. Tobirama Senju went from disdain to frowning, from being confused to feeling awe, and from finding it somewhat interesting to finding it unimaginable.

Finally, despite being an impure Tobirama Senju, Natsume felt that Tobirama was already drenched in cold sweat.

After Tobirama Senju followed the various techniques and methods in the annotations, circulated his chakra, chanted scriptures, and visualized specific body parts, he stumbled through a training session and was surprised to find that he had become slightly stronger.

Tobirama Senju was completely stunned.

He has been dead for some years now. Whether in the Pure Land or reborn in the Impure Land, he has been constantly being consumed, accompanied by a slow but irreversible decline, and even his memories are gradually fading away.

This was the first time since Tobirama Senju's death, amidst his continuous decline, that he felt a sense of recovery or strengthening. This miraculous feeling made his soul tremble.

The greatest instinct of life is to survive. Even the soul that remains after death will still fear its own weakness, and will also feel ecstatic when it becomes stronger.

With trembling hands, Tobirama Senju turned to the first page and recited the name of the scripture with a devout attitude: "The Sutra of Salvation and Reincarnation".

"The Fifth Hokage, where did this come from? Can he revive people?"

Xia Zuo replied, "I can't say where it comes from, and I can't bring the dead back to life, but I can make the dead cultivate and become stronger, becoming beings similar to the Grim Reaper."

Tobirama Senju frowned slightly: "A Shinigami, would I become one of those mindless gods?"

Xia Zuo shook his head and said, "No, it's just a similar existence."

"You cannot control the power of death, but you will not lose your own consciousness either. You are more like an invisible life that continues to live in the form of a soul."

"But these are all just my guesses. I don't know what the specific results of the cultivation will be."

The Second Hokage nodded and said, "I can easily accept this way of life."

"Hmm, you're giving me something with an uncertain outcome because you intend for me to try cultivating it first, eliminating any flaws and problems?"

Xia Zuo made no attempt to hide anything and readily admitted, "That's right. Only you, the second generation, have enough talent to break through all the limitations and successfully complete the cultivation of the new power system."

Tobirama Senju smiled smugly: "I'll take this job."

"But I must not let my elder brother see it before I have completed my cultivation and achieved results."

"You know how unreasonable he can be when he's practicing. I'm afraid he might develop some serious problems from it."

Xia Zuo recalled the First Hokage's completely unreasonable success in mastering Wood Release and Sage Mode, and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

The origin of the "Scripture of Reincarnation" is the demonic path of the Shinigami world, combined with the knowledge of ghost cultivation in the immortal cultivation world. The most suitable cultivator is naturally the Shinigami, not the dead reborn through the Impure World Reincarnation in the ninja world.

As a master of ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, and having also proven his abilities in the field of electronics, Tobirama Senju was the most likely candidate to successfully master and adjust his training method.

However, given Hashirama Senju's experience in training ninjutsu, no one knows whether he will succeed overnight, fail to grasp the basics, or produce strange or unusual results.

If the third possibility cannot be ruled out, neither Xia Zuo nor Senju Tobirama would dare to involve the First Hokage.

Therefore, Xia Zuo made a promise without hesitation: "I guarantee that this is the only one that will be written down, and I will never spread the 'Scripture of Reincarnation and Salvation' until you have completed your cultivation and improvement."

Having received Natsu's promise, Tobirama Senju was relieved.

He knew that Xia Zuo had come here to learn about the progress of the dragon vein research, but at this moment his mind was completely focused on the "Scripture of Salvation," and he had no energy to think about other issues.

So Tobirama Senju rudely chased away the Fifth Hokage: "Go away, go away, I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now."

"If you want to know about the Dragon Vein, go find Orochimaru. He knows everything about my progress, and besides—"

As if remembering something, Tobirama Senju raised an eyebrow slightly and said in a tone full of surprise, "He has made quite an unexpected gain these past few days."

Xia Zuo's curiosity swelled instantly, and he rushed to Orochimaru's laboratory. Before he even pushed open the door, he heard the voice of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

"Hey, Orochimaru-senpai, isn't that a bit much? How can you be so rough?"

"Minato, shut up!"

"Oh dear, oh dear, don't speak so loudly in front of the children."

"————, why didn't I know you talked so much before?"

"Haha, Orochimaru-senpai, you're too kind."

"————, I wasn't praising you."

Xia Zuo shook his head, pushed open the door to the laboratory, and then he saw a Naruto Uzumaki who was both unfamiliar and familiar.

With his short, spiky yellow hair, white inner collar, and orange jacket with blue shoulder pads, this was Naruto that Xia Zuo had never seen in person before.

But in his previous life, in the manga and anime, he saw the short and chubby Naruto many times.

Compared to Naruto Uzumaki, who was personally taught and fed by Xia Zuo, the most distinctive feature of this Naruto is his short stature, and the stupidity and naivety that can be seen in his clear blue eyes without needing to speak to him.

Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze saw Xia Zuo enter and respectfully addressed him as "Fifth Hokage".

Minato Namikaze continued with deep gratitude, "Thank you so much for taking care of Naruto. I now know how terrible the suffering Naruto would have endured without your help."

Since being resurrected by Edo Tensei, visiting Naruto Uzumaki regularly has been Minato Namikaze's greatest pleasure, and he knows every detail about his son.

Upon seeing the short, bean-sized Naruto who jumped out of the dragon vein and claimed that the Fifth Hokage was Tsunade, Minato Namikaze naturally compared the differences between the two Narutos.

In terms of height, temperament, clothing, knowledge, speech, and strength, Naruto, who was fed and raised by Xia Zuo, completely overwhelmed this suddenly appearing Naruto.

The difference between the two is astonishing.

In terms of height alone, both are 16 years old, but the shorty is only 166 cm tall, while Naruto Uzumaki in this timeline is already 182 cm tall, a difference of 16 cm.

But the biggest difference is strength. Both are Jinchuriki, but this short, bean-like guy isn't even a Jonin. Orochimaru suppressed and captured him in one fell swoop.

But Naruto Uzumaki, who stayed in Konoha Village, was different.

Before Orochimaru could fight Naruto, who was 182 cm tall, he had to prepare multiple uses of the Orochimaru Substitution Technique, otherwise he might end up in the hospital from that clueless kid.

The difference between these two Naruto Uzumakis is obvious to the naked eye. How could Minato Namikaze not be grateful to the Fifth Hokage, Sasuke?

Orochimaru excitedly told Xia Zuo, "Godai, your guess was right! It's a parallel universe! This kid comes from a parallel universe!"

"In his view, it was I who killed Sarutobi-sensei in Konoha 60 years ago, but the situation in which Konoha was overshadowed by Kumogakure did not change at all."

"As expected, I acted too late. I wasn't as decisive as you, Godai."

Xia Zuo said with a smile, "You can't blame Orochimaru-senpai for this. After all, you were the Third Hokage's disciple. Even if you were thinking about his reputation, it would be difficult for you to make up your mind."

"I'm different. I'm from the Senju clan. The Third Hokage owes us a debt, so I can act immediately once I gain the ability."

Naruto, who was imprisoned, was stunned, then shouted, "How could you... how could you say such things about the Third Hokage?"

"He is the hero who saved Konoha Village!"

Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, and Natsume all shook their heads. This little Naruto was indeed spoiled rotten.

Xia Zuo was thinking: He actually thinks his enemy is a role model. No wonder that after becoming the Seventh Hokage, this kid not only failed to truly grasp power, but also exhausted himself like a dog.

If you lack intelligence and insight, don't say anything.

Even though Minato Namikaze genuinely felt sorry for the child, he didn't offer any explanation or rebuttal. With such a poor understanding, there was simply no way to explain it.

Xia Zuo asked, "Orochimaru-senpai, how did he appear?"

Orochimaru shrugged, pretending not to care, but a smile was already creeping onto his lips as he said, "This kid popped up on his own while I was conducting my interference experiment on the dragon veins."

Xia Zuo asked again, "Is he alone?"

Orochimaru replied, "It's not one person, it's Team 7 from another world, including Sakura Haruno, Sai, and the one who claims to be 1."

The Heavenly Treasury of "Yamato".

Minato Namikaze explained, "Orochimaru-sama of that world was not recalled, and Sasuke Uchiha from Team 7 defected to Orochimaru, so there was an additional Root ninja named Sai."

Xia Zuo nodded to indicate that he understood, and then asked again, "Orochimaru-senpai, what kind of research are you doing by tying Naruto up here?"

Orochimaru said helplessly, "It's not research. We've had them for four days already, and we've done all the research we needed to. Now it's time to brainwash them."

"For safety reasons, we need to minimize our interference with parallel universes at the moment, so we can't let them take their memories back."

"The problem now is that everyone else's memories have been erased, and even Sai, who is from Root, had his brain sealed, but I've taken care of that too."

"Only this kid—" Orochimaru said through gritted teeth, a rare occurrence for him, "I've never seen such a stubborn idiot as this kid!"

"That bastard, his mind is completely blank, but he just won't listen to reason. I've tried everything, but I can't erase his memories."

Xia Zuo laughed heartily and then said, "Then let's just ignore him."

Minato Namikaze frowned and asked, "Is it really okay to ignore this?"

Orochimaru frowned as well, saying, "Fifth Hokage, you yourself said that any information transmitted to a parallel universe could cause unimaginable and enormous changes."

Xia Zuo waved his hand and said, "What I said is true, but for information to be effective, it needs to spread and influence enough people."

"But look at this kid's situation. He's clearly not well-liked or valued. So when the other three say they didn't encounter us, will the ninja from that world believe him, or will they think he's dreaming?"

Orochimaru:

Minato Namikaze: "————"

Naruto Uzumaki flew into a rage: "You're talking nonsense! The Fifth Hokage believed me, and Jiraiya-sensei will definitely believe me too!"

"Your plot will not succeed!"

Orochimaru and Minato exchanged a glance: "Jiraiya (their teacher) will believe him—"

The two nodded in unison, then looked at Xia Zuo: "The Fifth Hokage is powerful, we don't need to worry about him."

Naruto Uzumaki: "Hey!???"

Orochimaru pushed the short and slender Naruto to the adjacent Dragon Vein Experiment Area, tightly bound him with a specially made sealing belt, turning him into a mummy, and piled him and three other mummies in the center of a huge sealing array.

Before he was tied up, Minato kindly fed him some water and food, but did not stop Orochimaru's actions.

Orochimaru had no ill intentions; he simply wanted to use the return of these three Konoha ninjas to collect data on the Dragon Vein.

The long sealing belt wasn't meant to bind anyone, but rather to accompany the bound individual into the time vortex, using a physical connection and solidified sealing technique to transmit all changes within the spacetime tunnel.

With this firsthand data, Orochimaru was able to begin researching methods for time travel.

Minato Namikaze couldn't yet understand the purpose of doing this, but he trusted Orochimaru, Tobirama Senju, and Natsume's judgment. The project they supported without hesitation would surely bring huge benefits to Konoha.

That's what it means to trust experts, which is why it was such a pity he died back then.